Friday, October 16, 2009

Sometimes, you write a code which has upload features or backing up a database then only to find out that your PHP installation limits your upload to 2mb. Ive encountered this problem while I was backing up databases using phpMyAdmin and realized that the file ive downloaded is too huge for an upload without tweaking the necessary files. So with this I resulted to editing the php.ini file to accommodate a larger file upload size.

The php.ini file varies from one location to another depending on your install (may it be Windows, Mac or Linux).. In my Linux server (Ubuntu) its found in /etc/php5/apache2/

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I think I could consider myself really unlucky with electronics this year. I bought my mother an EEE PC netbook which, after 9 days had a noisy fan and the store didnt want to have it replace or refunded.. But thats a different story.. This is about my LCD TV problems.

I got an HSBC credit card for 2 reasons. 1: the Caltex rebate and 2: the MyScreen LCD TV.

You could scroll down and skip this back story and head to the "Testing the TV: Here Comes the Bad Part" if you're not particular with my reasons in buying the TV. If you're interested with why I got it, carry on.

Reasons

The MyScreen MYS-22 (22 inch) TV is priced 11,500 pesos thru the promo of HSBC. With that you get 1080i, and HDMI port, an audio out, an audio in, VGA in, RCA in, Component in, a remote, and pretty much thats about it. You could read the full specs here. I did my homework, Ive read reviews and so far, and a positive feedback was given by SonOfKratos in his review in TipidPC. You could read his review here. So what is not to like about it? If the reviews says that only the sound was lousy.. Then add a good speaker! Not to mention that it has VGA! So I could plug in my PS2, I could plug in my PC, I could watch TV and.. It has HDMI! It would welcome a PS3 anytime! .. Whats not to like about it!? Not to mention that they have service centers all over the country (you'll find a good reason for that later) .. Its like those China brands that you never heard of but seems like a good deal. My decision was set. MYS-22 through the HSBC promo!

Obtaining My HSBC Credit Card

Honestly, this is my first credit card. I have 2 golds as an extension of my mother's credit card. My mom complained that I charge around 3k to 4k on an average so why not get my own? It was also a good time to start a good credit line and im responsible enough to maintain a good credit standing (if thats what they call paying on time etc etc.) Anyway, I applied and it took some time though it got approved eventually. As I got my card on the mail, I called HSBC immediately to activate it. Then headed to AV Surfer to get the TV.

Obtaining the TV

I was too excited that when I had my card activated, I rushed to ATC to get the TV. I looked for AV Surfer and as I found it, it was already 8:45+ .. I told them that im going to get the MYS-22 and I would just have to photocopy a valid ID to go with the claim stub. I rushed to the 3rd floor to find out that the photocopying store was already closed. I went back to AV Surfer, defeated as I was assured by Chris (the guy at the counter) that there are still 2 units left on their stock. I went back some days after and got the TV. Being a diligent electronics shopper, I asked if I could test the connectors or at least some.. They tested the component then was stunned when they tested the HDMI port. 1080i aint that bad. I took the baby home after accomplishing everything.

Testing the TV: Here Comes the Bad Part

I unboxed it and set it up at home. I got my shiny vga cable, plugged it in. I connected my old PS2 unit. It felt amazing, like anything and everything is connected. After testing the ports, (I dont have any component device or an HDMI device) I jumped into bed hoping to watch some good-ol-cable channels. I scanned the channels and was really amazed that it got everything! I tried switching it off and see if it will resume where I left off.. Then there it was, it forgot every channel it scanned! Come on! Even a cheap surplus TV could remember the channel it scanned even if its turned off or unplugged.. How can this hi-tech tv fail to have this very basic feature?

Return of the TV

I called AV Surfer the next day and Chris was accomodating and said that if I want to return it, I could, though he suggested to call Solid Service aka Sony Service and ask regarding this problem. I called and guess what they told me, they would have to take in the unit and it would take around 1 to 2 weeks. I bluntly told them "I just bought this yesterday and you want me to risk my 7 day window for returning this?" The customer service rep cant seem to answer. She even dont want me talking to the technicians. Sige, good luck intindihin yan. My dad and I decided just to return the TV to AV Surfer and wait til the next batch arrives.

Another TV Arrives at Home and Leaves Home Immediately

Guess what? Same problem! So its already past the 7 day and it seems like Chris is a bit agitated on having the thing back. So he suggested to bring it to the service center in Alabang. My dad brought it there and as he was explaining the situation, someone was getting back their unit. Guess what, MYS-22, HSBC promo. Problem? Channels doesnt save. So, my dad was already pissed finding that out, wanted to talk to the technician. Guess what the lady attendant told him? "Sakin ninyo sabihin yung problema! (Tell your problem to me)" .. Its annoying that there needs to be a mediator, rather having the end user talk to the one who will directly fix the problem. So, swallowing our prides, we left it there for 2 days.

Finally, It Goes Back Home for the N'th Time

Before my dad got the unit, he asked the lady if ever it is still defective could we have a document stating that the item is really defective (so we could give it to AV Surfer as proof that its really problematic) The lady said that the document would take 1 to 2 weeks. Wow. A document stating that 'the unit with the serial xxx-xxx-xxxxxx is problematic' signed by the technician or the manager would take TWO FRIGGIN WEEKS!? So benefit of the doubt, my dad took it home to have it tested. I tried it out, yeah they fixed it alright BUT, if you tried completing the scan (up to channel 104) it doesnt save. If you tried stopping the scanning up until around channel 70, it saves.. So what if I want to watch Karera in channel 99?! Or if I want to watch Arirang or something!? Sorry nalang ako!? Pissed, I told my dad that we're returning this unit and will file a dispute to reverse my payment.

Imagine the Hassle

My dad going back and fourth to Alabang, to ATC, to the service center, back to our house. My wasted time calling the service center, contesting this problem then being advised to check on the store. Calling the store, explaining the situation again.. It all gets very tiring. All for SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE WORKING PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. Im really disappointed with Solid Broadband Corporation. Think about it, its not even dirt cheap! Its 11,500! A decent 22-incher Samsung would cost you around 13,500.. This is utter crap.

Action Plan

1. Call up the service center saying that we will be returning the TV to AV Surfer since it is still broken.2. Call up AV Surfer saying that its still problematic and tell them that the manufacturer/service center would take 1 week for the letter.3. Call up HSBC to file a dispute

Final Words

Please spare yourself the trouble and get yourself a branded unit. Now ive realized that being a cheap-o leads to more hassles than what you have saved.

I will be updating this time to time so you could track how much hassle im in. Ill also add pictures ive taken before I returned it to the box this evening. Since SonOfKratos might shoot me with his 'those who have less talk more' quote. I bought. I tested. I got crap.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

It has been argued on by so many computer enthusiasts when asked "Is it worth it to buy (insert brand here) (insert drive space here) for (insert price here) ?"

Given the example above, how can you say that its better to buy the 1.5 TB drive and just adding a bit more money than buying the 1 TB drive? Ive explained this approach to a batchmate of mine in DLSU some years ago. I wasnt able to remember it until we had a YM conversation last night.

Given the prices from the PCX price list:4910 pesos for a 1Terabyte Seagate SATA 16mb7720 pesos for a 1.5Terabyte Seagate SATA 32mb

So, if you have a 1000 Gig (~1TB) drive for 4910 Pesos what you need to do is just divide the amount by the size of the drive.

Its safe to say that for the price to space ratio, you would get a better deal if you buy the 1TB drive rather than the 1.5TB drive. Though you might want to hold off buying a Seagate for this matter.

But when it comes to usability after several years, its a different story. I have an old 1.2 Gig Seagate drive at home and I cant really think of any use for it except as a drive for my legacy systems.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

There's a point in your life when you will realize that you've transitioned into using several sets of computers and noticed that backing up files are pretty much a tedious task. During the course of my transitions, moving from desktops, to laptops and even using 2 to 3 computers depending on the task I've hated how much files I need to circulate and to figure out which ones are the updated. Ive simplified the task of backing up files by creating a list of folders to be archived beforehand then doing the backup 2 to 3 days ahead so I would not forget anything in the process.

I normally backup my personal folder, My Documents, browser bookmarks and my Yahoo Messenger archives. Using a bookmark synchronization tool relieves me of one of my tasks and worries. Not to mention that I could access what Ive bookmarked even if I'm away from my main computer.

What it does is simple. If you use 2 or more computers, it synchronizes all of your bookmarked pages so you could sync them into the other computers you are using. Xmarks also support password synchronizing though I skipped that option since I pretty much have my passwords all in my head.

Friday, January 2, 2009

We all know that Webmin is like a swiss army knife for Linux SysAds, but again, there are some programs you want to start running as your machine boots or to shut down the program when you invoke a shut down command or a reboot.

I personally use this during power failures when the system wakes up, I want all programs to be up and running.

As an example, ive downloaded and compiled inadyn, a dynamic DNS updater for Linux.

First important thing to know is the directory where the program is located.. When logged in in your shell, go to the directory where the program is located and type pwd (that is print working directory) and it will give you your current location.

In my case the result is: /root/inadyn/bin/linux/

Then you should know if theres a proper shut down command for the program, in inadyns case, theres none. Also, take note of the program name.. In my case the program name is inadyn and I run the program using ./inadyn

Theres a trick here, since if you run it, it will be just on standby.. and when you quit, the program shuts down.. The trick here is to add an & at the end to run it on background..

So to complete it, /root/inadyn/bin/linux/./inadyn&

So we have our command to run..

Go log in to your Webmin website and go to the System tab and select Bootup and Shutdown. Select the Create new bootup and shutdown action ..

After, you could add in your commands and give it a name.. Take note of the name, it should not contain spaces.. Just add a more complete description so you know what runs which when you get back to the list.

Going back to the shut down process, I invoked a killall -9 inadyn so it will force kill the program upon shutting down. This might not be a good idea since killing it on the -9 level is like 'end task' in Windows jargon. It may not properly do last minute saving of data.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Most of the people complain about compiling programs in Linux. Particularly those applications which require getting your hands dirty by using shell commands.

I have been compiling eggdrops and emechs from my IRC days back then and PVPGN and running a game server. Im currently compiling an otserv in Fedora 9 and thankfully, the instructions are in Debian and Ubuntu: http://otfans.net/wiki/index.php/Compiling_OTServ_under_Ubuntu .. hey how bad can it be? You could still yum your way through the needed libraries.

Important thought before you start is to know the important libraries needed. Most of the time they are the -devel or -dev libraries since you are compiling a program right? But the problem is most of the -devel libraries are dependent to their parent application. Say for example mysql-devel is dependent to mysql.i368.. So nonetheless you have to install the pair.

An important thing in compiling.. remember to:1.) Check the libraries needed by the program you are compiling2.) always remember: ./configure, make, make install

People really wouldnt bother compiling their own and just getting the executables.. But thats not always the case.. If you have the source and the only executables are in windows exe.. what do you do? Thats where everything comes in..

With the source files, you could port it into different platforms as long as the libraries are supported.

About Me

Pogz was the founder of the now defunct PogzNet group and has worked as a SysAd for De La Salle Philippines then at De La Salle University. Currently a Systems Engineer for Cascadeo Corporation. A tech enthusiast, loves reading, silent musician, networking guru, anime buff, cross platform gamer, run-of-the-mill athlete, free form writer and frustrated artist.